Ordnance



Feb. 5, 1946. 7 LE ROY FHMAURER ETAL 2,394,462

ORDNANCE Filed Sept. 18, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LeRoy F A Iaurer, Jog C! Troiier ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1946. LE ROY F. MAURER ETAL 2,394,462

ORDNANCE Filed Sept. 18, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LeHoy If Maurer, John C. Troifer @1 @w-vilMv ATTORNEYS LE. ROY F. IMAURER ErAL 2,394,462

ORDNANCE Filed Sept. 18, 1943 Feb. 5, 1946.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 Fig. 3

INVENTO RS" LeRoy F. Maurer, lghn C. Trbi ier I Feb. 5, 1946. LE. ROY F. MAURER ETAL, 2,394,462

ORDNANCE Filed Sept. 18, 1943 4 sheetssheet 4 INVENTORS LeRqy FMaurenJg/m C. miter ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 5, 1946 LBMAtZ ORDNAN CE Le Roy F. Maurer, Buffalo, and John C. Trotter, Williamsville, N. Y., assignors to Bell Aircraft Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application September 18, 1943, Serial No. 502,952

8 Claims.

This invention relates to ordnance, and more particularly to improved gun mount means for mounting high velocity guns such as aerial cannon upon aircraft or the like, in such manner as to be readily adjustable in elevation and azimuth for target training purposes.

One of the objects of the invention is to pro vide an improved gun mount arrangement for the purpose described which is extremely compact and light in weight and otherwise particularly adapted to be used in mounting guns upon aircraft or the like. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mount for aerial cannon and remote aim control arrangements therefor. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a un mount and remote aim control arrangement of the invention, shown as being carried in the nose portion of an airplane and mounting a high velocity type cannon of the anti-tank variety thereon;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the gun mount and aim control mechanisms of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken through the gun mount mechanism as along line III--III of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings as comprising an improved aim-adjustable gun carriage mounted in the nose portion of a bomber type airplane. However, it will be understood that the gun mount device of the invention may be employed to advantage when mounting guns upon other types of vehicles, or the like. In Fig. 1 the mounted gun is designated [2 and is of the high velocity aerial cannon type for firing explosive shells in connection with anti-tank warfare, or the like. The barrel of the gun I 2 is shown projecting through a suitably apertured portion of the mounting vehicle.

The gun carriage of the invention is illustrated as comprising a bracket designated generally at M which includes a pair ofside plate portions adapted to embrace the casing of the mounted gun at opposite sides thereof so as to clamp the gun upon the bracket I4 While leaving the gun barrel mechanism to be free to reciprocate relative to the bracket I4 in response to recoil forces of the gun firing operation. As illustrated in detail in Figs. 3-4, the bracket l4 includes a pair of like side plate portions l6-l6 which carry a weather shield as illustrated at l! to encompass the gun barrel in the region just ahead of the axis of elevational aim adjustment thereof. The side plate portions Iii-I6 are formed with oppositely extending and axially aligned collars i8-l 8. The collars l8-l 8 are rotatably mounted by means of corresponding ball bearing devices 2020 upon a gimbal bracket 22 which encircles the gun carrying bracket I4 in such manner as to permit the gun to be rocked about the axis of the bearings 2020 for elevational aim adjustment purposes.

The gimbal bracket 22 carries at opposite side thereof a pair of like vane type hydraulic motors designated generally at 2525. Each of the motors 25-25 comprises a housing 26 enclosing a vane type piston 28 which is mounted upon and geared to a cross shaft 30. The outer end portions of the shafts 3U-30 are rotatably mounted upon the respective motor housings by bearings 32-32 and sealed by packing devices 34-44 which are held in position by ring nuts 3636. The inner end portions of the shafts 30-3B are similarly sealed at 38 and are splined at 39 for geared engagement with similarly splined portions of the sleeves 18-48 of the gun carrying bracket. Thus, it will be understood that application of fluid pressure force difierentials against opposite faces of the motor pistons will procure corresponding rocking movements of the gun carrying bracket M in vertical directions. A resilient packing strip of rubber or the like, as indicated at 50, is carried within a suitably grooved portion of the gimbal bracket 22 to extend therefrom into slide bearing contact against adjacent outer surface portions of the bracket [1 so as to weather-seal the junction therebetween without interfering with free elevational aim ad justments of the gun relative to the gimbal bracket 22. To facilitate effective sealing action at this point of the mechanism the upper and lower face portions of the shield 11 are arcuately shaped concentrically of the axis of the bearings 20-20, as indicated at 5Z54.

As illustrated in detail in Fig. 3, the gimbal bracket 22 is provided with a pair of opposite vertically extending sleeve devices 60-60 at the upper and lower central portions of the bracket 22. The sleeves 606U carry thereon corresponding ball bearing devices 62-62 which are fitted within correspondingly bored portions 6464 of a support frame designated generally at azimuth aim adjustments of the mounted gun relative to the frame 65. .Thus, it will be understood that the frame 65 is adapted to be detachably mounted upon any suitable fixed structure of the airplane or other vehicle to carry the gun, and that the gun will thereupon be universally adjustabie for target training purposes.

A p i of hy r ul c motor de ices de i n te generally at lit-56 arefixedly mounted upon the frame 65 adjacent corresponding of the bearings 62-452. Each motor 66-66 comprises a seg:

mental housing 58 enclosing a vane type piston- H! which is keyed to a cross shaft 82 having itsouter end portion mounted upona bearing 14 and sealed at 18. The inner endportion of each shaft 12 is sealed at T! and splined a's aviator? geared connection with correspondingly splined portions of the sleeves -569 of the .gimbal bracket 22. Thus, it will be understood that ap: plication of pressure force differentials at oppo- Site sid of t e moto ist n 7.0-4? W =1???- r c p n n ta in mQ m Qi i h .gun carrying gimbal bracket 2? relative to the frame about the axis of the bearings 62 62 forv adjustments of the gun aim in azimuth.

A ir f k Qusines i' a e m nt by screws 8! t t nd v rom bpp t S e i th bracket 22 so as to substantially enclose the motor of the housings, so as to weather-seal the j unction between the housings 8?8 2 and the frame 55 without interfering with free rotation ofthe gimbal bracket and gun unit relative to the frame 55 for azimuth aim adjustment purpo ses.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 andZ, aremotely dis- .r vposed aim control device for the mounted gun is designated generally at to oOi i a ha .draulic pump 92 driven by a motor 83, The output control valve mechanism of the pumpjis designated 94, and the control valve actuating stem is "keyed to a crossbar and hand grip device 95 which is adapted to be manually manipulated by the gun operator to regulate flow ofpressured fluid from the pump 9?. into the gun mount adjustment motors 25 -65. It will be-understood thatthe remote controlvalve'and mecha-' nism does not comprise subject matter: of the present invention, and that any suitableitype of hydraulic fluid supply and control means may be employed to cause the motor devices 2 5, 65 to operate to adjust the gun mount for elevational and azimuth aim adjustment purposes, For example, the type of pump and control shown in detail in application Serial Number 4i'7 i,1,0 6 of John 0. Trotter filed January 30, 19 13; or of the 7 nel I09, whereby the ,Yeriical t is in ements th handle 95 *aboutjhe horizontal axis of thecross bar portion thereof will actuate the valve mechanism 34 so as to cause the motor 92 to deliver pressured fluid to the motors 25-25 in such manner to rock the gun carrying bracket I4 about the horizontal axes of the bearings 202fi; whereby to procure' egv'auonai aim adjustments of the mounted g n, in the direction of twisting of the control handle 95."

.A' target sight device, as indicated at 96, is qa ried by a bracket 91 which pivots to a frame 88 suspended pivotally from the gun mount frame 5:, 13+ W9? 1i k$ 97 .9 co ed through a h l crank llfic s h i t a ng bra 91; to rock in consonance with vertical rocking movements of-the gun mountbracket 1M; whereby the sight 9 6 moves automaticallyin response to adjustments of the gun aiminjsynchronism therewith. A camera is mounted, as indicated at 32, 'npon thesig ht ca'rrying bracket 91; whereby the camera .lrnjliis carried to sight at all times in the d-iret i n 'h n v the effects of gunfire uponthe target.

ns indicated generally at I05 (Fig, i) a emmunition magazine 'forthe mounted gun is car- 'r'iedib'y the bracket 14, whereby the magazine I will bedisposed 'inffeeding registry with the gun while being carried a an integral p rt of the gun mount mechanism. The magazine is illustrated for example to comprise a pair of spaced track devices [06:49? which are interconnected by 'l'crloss bars "168 tojprovide a frame-like trackway upon which cartridges He may be disposedin s'iderby-side fr'elation to be'pulled around the trackway by a ibelticrthe like carried in a chan- V I nds will slide upon the freeway and be fed noce'ss'iVely into "the amm n ti-Qn i y ndrtui 't gun I2 Thus, it will be u' dersto ,dthat the gun mount "arrangement of the invention provides an unusually compact and light weight gun carriage which provides for uniyersal aim adjustments Yecontrol of the position r all 'lconditions of gun aim adjustment Because the elevation and azimuth 'aiin control motor devices are mounted in paired alignment at *opposite si es of the igun jnount type shown in application Serial Number $38,400

of John C. Trotter and-LeRoy F. Maurer filed April 10, 1942, may be employed. In any case it will be understood that suitable fluid conduits .(not'shown) will be connected to extend between the control pump mechanism and the gun'mount motor devices 25 -5E in accord with conventional hydraulic pressure transmission practice.

Thuait will be understood that manual adjustn the ntower sfiabm fi t t @911 a of the stem of the valve 94 will actuate the valve see ne and e es ustmfit devi tote adapted to record for carrying a gun to fire from a gun battery device such as an airplane or the like, comprising in combination, a frame adapted to be fixed upon an apertured portion of said device, a gimb-al bracket mounted interiorly of said frame by means of pivot connection devices having aligned vertical axes and mounting said bracket relative to said frame at upper and lower portions thereof, a gun mount bracket disposed interiorly of said gimbal bracket and pivotally mounted thereon by means of pivot connection devices having aligned horizontal axes whereby said gun mount bracket is mounted relative to said gimbal bracket at opposite side portions thereof, paired motor devices carried by said frame at upper and lower portionsflthereof and geared tosaid gimbal bracket for rotating the latter relative to said frame, paired motor devices carried by said gimbal bracket at opposite sides thereof and geared to said gun mount bracket for rotating the latter relative to said gimbal bracket, power supply means for energizing said motor devices to procure elevational and azimuth adjustments of the gun mount aim, a weather shield device carried by said gun mount bracket to closely fit upon and encompass the mounted gun and having outer side portions thereof curved concentrically, of the axis of pivoting of said gun mount bracket relative to said gimbal bracket, and weather-seal means carried by said gimbal bracket to extend therefrom into slide-bearing Weather-sealing relation against said curved surface portions of said shield.

2. A gun mount and aim adjustment device for carrying a gun to fire from an airplane or the like, comprising in combination, a frame adapted to be fixed upon an apertured portion of the airplane or the like, a gimbal bracket mounted interiorly of said frame and mounting said bracketrelative to said frame at upper and lower portions thereof, a gun mount bracket disposed interiorly of said gimbal bracket and pivotally mounted thereon whereby said gun mount bracket is mounted relative to said gimbal bracket at opposite side portions thereof, a motor device carried by said frame and geared to said gimbal bracket for rotating the latter relative to said frame, a motor device carried by said gimbal bracket and geared to said gun mount bracket for rotating the latter relative to said gimbal bracket, power supply means for energizing said motor devices to procure elevational and azimuth adjustments of the gun mount aim, and weather shield devices carried by said gun-mount bracket and said gimbal bracket to closely fit upon and encompass respectively the mounted gun and one of said motor devices and having outer side portions thereof curved concentrically of the axis of movement thereof.

3. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a rectangular frame disposed to stand substantially vertically, a gimbal bracket mounted interiorly of said frame by means of paired first pivot connection devices having vertically aligned axes and mounting said gimbal bracket relative to said frame at upper and lower end portions thereof, a gun mount bracket disposed interiorly of said gimbal bracket and pivotally mounted thereon by means of paired second pivot connection devices having horizontally aligned axes whereby said gun mount bracket is mounted relative to said gimbal bracket at opposite side portions thereof, said gimbal bracket having splined sleeve devices extending integrally from its upper and lower end portions concentrically of said first pivot connection devices, a pair of motor devices carried by said frame respectively at upper and lower portions thereof, each of said motors having a corresponding splined drive shaft portion thereof slip-fitted into and geared to a corresponding said gimbal bracket sleeve device for rotating said gimbal bracket relative to said frame, said gun mount bracket having splined sleeve devices extending integrally from its opposite side portions concentrically of said second pivot connection devices, a second pair of'motor devices carried by said gimbal bracket respectively at opposite sides thereof, each of said second pair of motors having a corresponding splined drive shaft portion slip-fitted into and geared to a corresponding said gun mount bracket sleeve device for'rotatingsaid gun mount bracket relative to said gimbal bracket, and controlled power supply means for selectively energizing said pairs of motor devices and simultaneously energizing the motors of each pair thereof to procure elevational and azimuth adjustments of the gun mount aim.

4. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a frame, a gimbal bracket mounted upon said frame by means of paired first pivot connection devices having vertically aligned axes and mounting said gimbal bracket relative to said frame at upper and lower end portions thereof, a gun mount bracket disposed interiorly of said gimbal bracket and pivotally mounted thereon by means of paired second pivot connection devices having horizontally aligned axes whereby said gun mount bracket is mounted relative to said gimbal bracket at opposite side portions thereof, said gimbal bracket having spline connection devices extending integrally from its upper and lower end portions concentrically of said first pivot connection devices, a pair of motor devices carried by said frame respectively at upper and lower portions thereof, each of said motor devices having a corresponding drive portion spline connected to a corresponding said gimbal bracket spline connection device for. rotating said gimbal bracket relative to said frame, said gun mount bracket having spline connection devices extending integrally from its opposite side portions concentrically of said second pivot connection devices, a second pair of motor devices carried by said gimbal bracket respectively at opposite sides thereof, each of said second pair of motor devices having a corresponding drive portion spline connected to a corresponding said gun mount bracket spline connection device for rotating said gun mount bracket relative to said gimbal bracket, controlled power supply means for selectively energizing said pairs of motor devices and simultaneously energizing the motors of each pair thereof to procure elevational and azimuth adjustments of the gun mount aim, and weather shield devices carried by said gun mount bracket and said gimbal bracket to closely fit upon and encompass respectively the mounted gun and one of said motor devices and having outer side portions thereof curved concentrically of the axis of movement thereof.

5. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a frame, a gimbal bracket mounted upon said frame by means of a first pivot means, a gun mount bracket, a second pivot means mounting said gun mount bracket upon said gimbal bracket, said gimbal bracket having a splined sleeve device extending integrally from an end portion thereof concentrically of sa d first ot means a first meter device carr y s d ame and havin a sp i ed drive sh it po tion l -fitte i to seared en eet en o said e mba b acket slee devic for rctatins said simb brac e relative. to s d ame, said sun m unt r ck ha n p ne s e e d vic extending integrally therefrom concentrically of said e d pivot mean a ec nd moto device a rie by a d s ba r ket and having seer: espond ng n -d d ive haf p r i n. sl piitted i t s a co nection to said can mount bracket sleeve device for rotating said gun mount bracket relative to said gimbal bracket, controlled ne e supp m ans or elec y energiz ng said motor devices to procure elevational and azimath ustments f e sun un aims-1 weath r ie d de es c ed by s id sun m unt bracket and said gimbal bracket to closely fit 1 ,99 1 nd encom p ctiv y the mou ted gun and S id first motor device and havin Outer side portions thereof curved concentrically of the of movement thereof.

6. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a. rectangular frame dispes o ta d s t ly a ly, a eetangular gimbal bracket mounted interiorly of sa d f ame by mean of p i ed fi t p v t c nnection devices having vertically alignedaxes and mounting said gimbal bracket, relative to said frame at pper nd w r en r s th eof a un m n r c et d po d interieriv of sai sim al ket n p v tal v mountedt r en y means o pa s d p t conn ct on de vices hav ng h on l y a ig d xes wher by said gun mount bracket is mounted relative to said gjmbal bracket at opposite side portions h eo id i al. b ck t aving spline oneet on de i es e te d g om s. u e and lower end portions concentrically of said first pi ot conn tion i s pai ed v type hv draulio motor devices carried by said frame at upper and lower portions thereof and disposed fiatwise thereagainst and having corresponding splined drive shaft portions slip-fitted into geared connections to said gimbal bracket sleeve cennee lons t s sun moun bracket sleeve de idcesfo ro e-t n sa d s n mount b a ket rela ve to sai simb l bracket, co trolled power supply means or selec i ely e ergiz n said pai 1 me er d ces and sim t n u y-energizing th motors of each pair thereof to procure elevational and az mut adjustment of the un m u t a m and weather shield devices carried by said gun mount bracket andsald gimbal bracket to closely fit upon and encompass respectively the mounted gun and one of said motor device and having outer side portions thereof curved concentrically of the axis of movement thereof.

7. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a frame, a gun mount bracket, pivot means mounting said gun mount bracket upon said frame, said bracket having a splined sleeve device extending from an end portion thereof concentrically of said pivot means, a motor carried by said frame and having a drive shaft portion thereof splined and slipfitted into geared connection to said bracket sleeve device forrotating said bracket relative to said frame, said motor comprising a pressured fluid supply casing of flat sector form and a vane type piston oscillatable within said casing, means for controlling flow of pressured fluid to said motor to procure adjustments of the gun mount aim, and weather shield devices carried by said mount bracket and said gimbal bracket to close y it upon and encompass respectively the mounted gun to said motor device and having outer side portions thereof curved concentrically of the axis of movement thereof.

8. A gun mount and aim adjustment device comprising in combination, a frame, a gun mount bracket,pivot means mounting said gun mount bracket upon said frame, said bracket having a ,splined connector extending from an end portion thereof concentrically of said pivot means, a fluid pressure motor comprising a casing of flat sector form and a vane type piston oscillatable within said casing and a splined shaft integral with said piston and extend n therefrom into slip -fitted geared connection with said bracket splined connector, means for controlling flow of pressured fluid to opposite ides of said motor piston to procure adjustments of the gun mount aim, and weather shield devices carried by said gun mount-bracket and said gimbal bracket to closely fit upon and encompass respectively'the mounted gun to said motor device and having outer ide portions thereof curved concentrically of the axis of ov n the e f- LE ROY F. MAURER. JOHN C. TROTTER. 

